JORDAN Rhodes kept up his remarkable scoring record for Ipswich to give manager Jim Magilton another little reminder that he may not have to go shopping to find a prolific goalscorer.

Derek Davis

Ipswich Town Res: 5 Colchester United Res: 0

JORDAN Rhodes kept up his remarkable scoring record for Ipswich to give manager Jim Magilton another little reminder that he may not have to go shopping to find a prolific goalscorer.

With Jon Walters and Shefki Kuqi injured and a loan striker still not secured Rhodes chance could come this weekend at Scunthorpe as a lively back up to Pablo Counago and Alan Lee.

His brace against the U's means the young striker has hit nearly 40 goals this season, and more than 100 since joining in a £5,000 fee from Barnsley as a £15-year-old.

With 20 goals in the reserve league, 11 at Under 18 level, two in the FA cup for Oxford United and another half dozen in behind-closed door friendlies, usually against Premiership opposition, Rhodes has shown he knows where the net is.

Of course it is a different kettle of fish scoring in the Championship but he has had a couple of cameo roles and is itching for an extended run in the first team.

Magilton will be cautious about throwing the teenager into such a pressure-cooker situation with a play-off pace at stake but one of the Premiership stars he has tried to get in on loan started in similar circumstances with Darren Bent one of the most successful Academy products.

The Blues have secured the East division title for the second season running but must wait to see if they have retained their league title until they take on the winners of either the central of south division in a play-off.

This may be an easy league but many of the Ipswich players still have something to prove to the watching Jim Magilton.

Gary Roberts showed he is over an Achilles injury with a hungry performance laced with skill.

Gavin Williams bossed the midfield to show he may be in a contract dispute but still has the desire to be involved, while Fabian Wilnis was eager to show his interest in coaching has not dulled his appetite for playing.

Nick Colgan in goal showed he is ready to step up with an assured performance although he was never seriously tested.

Ed Upson put in an eye--catching display wide left and got a goal to cap the night where the whole side played well against a hard-working and well-organised U's side.

A very young Colchester side acquitted themselves very well for the first 20 minutes before Town's experience and quality got on top.

The Blues went ahead on 25 minutes when a deep cross from Williams was met by Upson who beat the keeper with a stooping header. Three minutes later Liam Trotter hit the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the 18 yard box and Rhodes reacted quickest to nod in the rebound.

It was a typical poacher's goal that Rhodes specialises in. The 18-year went for another goal before half-time when he burst into the area and lofted a ball past the keeper but also wide of a post.

The U's keeper Smelt made a very good save to deny Roberts who hit a shot on the turn.

Roberts got the goal he deserved on 73 minutes when he finished off a swift break through the middle involving Rhodes and Trotter.

Centre-half Chris Casement got the fourth nine minutes from time when he knocked in an Upson corner. Then Rhodes won a penalty that he also converted, to complete the rout in the dying moments.

Ipswich Town: Colgan, Synnott (Watson, 82) Harding (Robinson, 54) Williams, Casement, Wilnis, Upson, Trotter, Rhodes, Ainsley (Reason, 54) Roberts. Subs: Ward, Watson, Lambe.

Colchester United: Smelt, Speed, Griffiths, Hammond, Devaux, Griffiths, Corcoran (Guy, 61), Marvell, Oakley, Malton (Sansford, 79) Olusanya (Bailey-Dennis, 73). Subs: Pirie.

Attendance: 374. Referee: Mr I Cooper.